Skipton has earned the right to take on Lexton in the Kingprint Lexton Plains Football League.
The Emus won the preliminary final battle against Rokewood-Corindhap on Saturday at Linton by 18 points, 8.10 (58) to 6.4 (40).
Both clubs had chances during the day to take control and it was going to be who was in front at siren time.
Skipton won the first term, leading by 18 points at quarter-time after the Grasshoppers kicked the first goal.
Momentum swung on the ground in the second period but little changed on the scoreboard with Rokewood-Corindhap on top across half back.
Still trailing by 13 points entering the third term, it was all or nothing for the Grasshoppers.
An early goal to Xavier Ryan (his second) got Rokewood-Corindhap going before a period of brain snaps by Skipton.
A goal to Shane Edwards was immediately followed by another kick on goal to coach Tom Mullane-Grant before the ball reached the centre.
A little later Skipton's Damien Larkin was reported and sent off as Rokewood-Corindhap through Callan Anderson stretched the lead to two goals.
However those majors were negated a touch by Adam Bridges with the gap narrowed to five points at the last change.
Eleven minutes passed in the final term with no goals scored, though Skipton was peppering the goals, with Rokewood-Corindhap having to defend on the last line of defence.
Weight of numbers told in the end, with Stefan Pye willing his shot home, before rover Danny George scored two goals to wrap the game up for the Emus.
Skipton 8.10 (58) def Rokewood Corindhap 6.4 (40)
GOALS, Skipton: Danny George 2, Stefan Pye 2, Darren Fletcher 2, Corey Fothergill 1, Adam Bridges 1
Rokewood-Corindhap: Xavier Ryan 2, Tom Mullane-Grant 1, Shane Edwards 1, Cam Griffith 1, Callan Anderson 1
BEST, Skipton: Scott Fletcher, Graeme Lench, Stefan Pye, Brett Conroy, Kiernan Molloy, Lachlan Wilkie
Rokewood-Corindhap: Ryan Raglus, Nick Braybon, Shane Edwards, Cam Griffith, Tim Carroll, Ben Decis
NEXT ROUND
SATURDAY
Grand Final at Eureka Stadium
SENIORS: Skipton v Lexton
RESERVES: Skipton v Rokewood-Corindhap
UNDER 17: Rokewood-Corindhap v Skipton
UNDER 14: Navarre v Skipton
UNDER 12: Rokewood-Corindhap v Skipton
The curtain comes down on the Kingprint Lexton Plains Football League this Saturday with the grand final on the Northern Oval, Ballarat.
After 12 years of competition, a VCFL recommendation has suggested the LPFL fold, with the eight clubs going off in three different directions to continue respective life.
Ararat Eagles will seek affiliation with the Mininera District Football League, Navarre and Natte-Bealiba to seek acceptance into Maryborough Castlemaine District Football League, while Skipton, Carngham-Linton, Illabarook, Rokewood-Corindhap and Lexton all move into an expanded Central Highlands Football League.
It makes this years grand final an historic affair and one that the winner will hold in high regard within the club.
The two clubs playing off are at either end of the premiership line as well.
On one hand there is Skipton.
The Emus had a lean time prior to its premiership breaking win in 2001.
Since then the club has played off in seven other grand finals with three more flags.
On the other hand is Lexton, entering its first LPFL grand final.
1999 had been the Tigers best result with a preliminary final loss.
Lexton played off in the 1998 premiership decider in the last year of the Lexton Football League, while eight years earlier was its last premiership.
By Rhys Brehaut
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|